Russia to deploy ‘peacekeepers’ if tense in Ukraine escalates: Churkin

(QHA) -

Russian television quoted the ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, as saying that Moscow would have "international-legal grounds" to deploy "peacekeepers" to Ukraine, as it had during the Russia-Georgia conflict of 2008.

“We have such an opportunity, but we wouldn’t like to”- Churkin said.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting requested by Russia to discuss the Kiev’s decision to use military forces to crush protests in Eastern Ukraine, RT reported.

Speaking at the session Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin noted international community must demand that those who are in power in Kiev stop war on their own citizens.

“The international community must demand the stooges of Maidan stop the war against their own people",- he said.

Meanwhile US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power accused Russia of directly intervening and orchestrating the protests in Ukraine.

“You heard that there are no Russian troops in eastern Ukraine but the fact is that many of the armed units that we have seen were outfitted in bullet proof vests, camouflage uniforms with insignia removed,” Power said.